PACKERS VS. FALCONS
WHEN: 2:05 P.M. SUNDAY • WHERE: GEORGIA DOME, ATLANTA • TV: FOX • RADIO: 610 AM
The rivalry: The Packers lead the all-time series 17-14 (and 2-1 in the playoffs). The Falcons rallied to beat the Packers 33-32 in Week 8 at home. Before the Falcons’ win, the Packers won four straight games over the Falcons, including a 48-21 win at Atlanta in the 2010 divisional round. The teams have met two other times in the wild-card round of the playoffs, with Green Bay winning at home in 1995 and Atlanta winning at Green Bay in 2002.
The coaches: Mike McCarthy is 114-61-1 in the regular season and 10-7 in the playoffs in 11 seasons with the Packers. He led them to an NFL championship in Super Bowl XLV and six division championships, including five in the past six years. Second-year coach Dan Quinn led the Falcons to a 36-20 win last week over his old team, the Seahawks, whom he helped reach the Super Bowl in 2013 and 2014 as defensive coordinator.
How they compare: Both teams are among the best in the league in taking care of the ball. The Falcons committed only 11 turnovers all season and the Packers have only two turnovers during their eight-game winning streak. The Falcons led the league in scoring (33.8), yards per play (6.69) during the regular season. The Packers were fourth in scoring (27.0), seventh in passing yards per play (6.77) and second in thirddown percentage (46.67).
Plot lines: Two of the NFL’s top quarterbacks meet in the playoffs for the second time in six years. Rodgers easily had the upperhand in their 2010 playoff meeting, throwing for 366 yards and three TDs. Ryan finished with 186 yards, one TD and two INTs. Both QBs could be without their top weapons. Falcons WR Julio Jones has been limited in practice after leaving last week’s game with nagging toe and foot injuries, and Packers WR Jordy Nelson (rib) missed the divisional round.
Lone Star State of mind: Packers FB Aaron Ripkowski was an offensive guard during Dayton’s run to the state final in 2008 and a linebacker as a senior. RB Ty Montgomery, a Dallas native, went to St. Mark’s School of Texas. Falcons OT Jake Matthews, a Texas A&M and Elkins grad, hails from a long line of Matthews in the NFL, including his dad, Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, a 14-time Pro Bowler with the Oilers.
Trending: The Packers have won eight consecutive games after ousting the Giants (38-13) and Cowboys (34-31) from the playoffs. Rodgers threw for 356 yards and two TDs and led the Packers on two key fourth-quarter field goal drives last week. The Falcons have won five straight behind Ryan, whothrew for 338 yards, three TDs and no INTs on 26-of-37 passing vs. Seattle.
Go figure: The Falcons edged the Packers in their regular-season matchup despite a quiet day from Jones (three catches, 29 yards). Ryan has passed for 1,469 yards, 14 TDs and zero INTs with a 131.8 rating during the Falcons’ five-game winning streak.
Worth pondering: Can the Packers do anything to slow down Ryan in the rematch? Can Rodgers maintain his otherworldly play once again?